http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/health/research/20happy.html
I found this New York Times Health article, which correlates not watching a lot of television with happiness, to be very interesting. After reading it I couldn’t help but think to myself why people continue to spend countless hours glued in front of the television when there are multiple studies such as this one suggesting it can have negative impacts on you.
Celia von Feilitzen in McQuail’s Reader in Mass Communication Theory conducted a survey with children in an attempt to discover their main motives for watching television as often as they do. In reading the main categories of the responses I found it interesting how many of these motives are the same reasons that I watch TV as much as I do and I’m sure you will notice the same thing. The entertainment/emotional function was one that I found particularly true as a motive for all TV viewers; young and old. The rather basic but accurate concept of “I watch because ‘it’s a bit of relaxation’, ‘I don’t have anything else to do for the moment’, and ‘you can see things that don’t happen for real’” (McQuail 358-359). Leave it to children to, in my opinion, perfectly hit on three of the major reasons why so many millions of people around the world can’t get enough of the medium which is television.
Just out of curiosity what do you feel is the single greatest reason why you decide to watch as much television as you do? Also do you agree in any way with the Times article in feeling that watching too much television could lead to feelings of isolation, depression, and unhappiness? I can admit that when I partake in other types of activities such as going to the gym, playing a game of pick-up basketball, or even reading a good book for a few hours, I tend to feel better about myself than if I sat around and watched TV instead. In a way society has tended to view those who watch countless hours of TV a day to be being highly “unproductive” and “lazy”. But do these labels or judgments by others have any effect on whether a person is happy or not? For example when I sit in front of the TV all day and night on Sundays watching football, I can care less about what any of my friends think of me and my “TV habits”, I couldn’t be any happier. Where do you stand on this issue?
The studies and theories on the potential negative effects of television and simply consuming media in general are extremely vast nowadays. The potential consequences are focused around both a health and social level. Yet in chapter 9 Baran and Davis delve into some of the audience theories and examine some of the good and positive effects media can have on a person. They talked about how researchers in this area were “slow to develop the perspective that average people can be responsible media consumers who use media for their own worthwhile purposes- an active audience” (Baran and Davis 230). The idea that people could be well-informed on the issues of the day through consuming various media and thus be able to avoid political manipulation and propaganda. Do you feel that this theory is accurate today? Given all of the biases in today’s media as we have discussed in class, can the average media consumer avoid all of these different political slants and spins? As we have talked about a Media Studies student can try to look at different sources and sift through the biases, but how about the average man/woman?
Andrew posed some very interesting questions in this week’s lead blog. The article from the New York Times was interesting. I never thought watching television would actually make someone unhappy. I just looked at it as another media text which some people prefer more than others. The main reason I watch television is to either be informed about what is going on in the world whether it is ESPN for sports or other news channels for world news, or to be entertained by watching my favorite show or watching a sporting event. Interestingly enough, in the McQuail reading it sates, “In the public debate mass media are often said to have two functions: to entertain and to inform” (McQuail 358). These are the two reasons why I ever watch television. The article also goes on to say, “These two expressions, however, proved irrelevant to children” (McQuail 358). The reason for this could be because the study focused on children ages 3-15. I am out of this age range so this may be why I have different motives when I watched television.
ReplyDeleteI do not really agree with the NY Times article. I do not think watching TV can have an effect on your happiness. If watching TV is something you love to do than how could you be unhappy by watching it. The author of the article also states that it was not studied whether or not watching less TV could make an unhappy person happy so therefore I believe there are many other variables which make a person happy or unhappy besides watching TV.
I personally feel as though people use television to fill their own personal needs. Some people may need TV for entertainment, information, excitement, relaxing, etc. This is why some people watch television more than others do. “This simple idea-that people put specific media and specific media content to specific use in the hopes of having some specific need or set of needs gratified” (Baran and Davis 229).
Unfortunately, I think there are all different spins to any news channel you watch so for the average viewer it is nearly impossible to avoid this. As media studies majors, we are more aware of this going on in the news so we understand how to look at certain news channels. The common man/woman does not have this same education and therefore will always be affected by the spins and biases seen in the news. Also, many people do not have the time to check different media outlets as we discussed in class.
I absolutely have seen real-life correlations with the subject matter of the New York Times article. I could blame television viewing as a factor of unhealthiness, in many of unhealthy people I have relationships with. The main reason being that, the time that is spent viewing, many times, should have been dedicated to more healthy activity.
ReplyDeleteThe child study that Andrew cited was definitely interesting. The part I found most interesting that was cited in research, and also Andrew’s personal life was: “I don’t have anything else to do for that moment.” I also share this reasoning. But, nothing else to do? Who am I kidding? There’s plenty to do, many times way more healthier than watching TV. Here enters Celia Von Feilitzen. Through her study of uses and gratifications Feilitzen recognizes the pattern of “need.” She highlights, “Since the needs of the individual are assumed to be shaped by all his psychological and social characteristics, we can also assume that by studying his needs we will already have allowed for the various circumstances that influence children’s television viewing and the relative importance of these circumstances”(357). Are we then using television to fulfill needs?
If I need a little romance do I look for it on TV?
If I need to be competitive do I look for it on TV?
If I need to be lazy and eat nachos and salsa and laugh do I look for it on tv?
Wait a minute… where did that “need” come from? I feel that regular television viewing causes new more unhealthy needs. And this may be what the root of The New York Times article is all about. The article “Utilization of Mass Communication by the Individual” by Katz, Blumler and Gurevitch went further into the concept of “needing” televisions output. The fact that media has caused a human need is discouraging and potentially unhealthy. Katz, Blumler and Gurevitch go on to say “Thus far, gratifications research has stayed close to what we have been calling media related needs (in the sense that media have been observed to satisfy them, at least in part), but one wonders all this should not be put in the broader context of systematic studies of needs”(167). They hope that media related needs will not be categorized as a need in itself.
I can definitely notice that television is indeed a need, an example being my father and brother. I also notice people that do not need television whatsoever. However those people usually tend to develop a lack of dependency for “healthier” reasons, so they claim. Ultimately, I do think there needs to be a distance between society and their dependency on television. Based on the amount of crude, stupid and nonsense projecting off the television screen, I don’t think any dependency to that would be considered a benefit.
I watch TV to be entertained, gain knowledge, and to relax. I personally have never felt "depressed" by TV. If anything, I catch a few good laughs watching it. I could see if I spent hours on end by myself locked in my room glued to the TV how feelings of "isolation, depression, and unhappiness" could begin to develop, but being a couch potato alone without much activity I think greatly adds to those feelings. I DVR many shows, and sometimes I can not wait to lay down with my remote in hand and be able to catch up on the shows I like. Why? Because I ENJOY watching them and they entertain me which brings out feelings of happiness. "Apart from these programmes being good, amusing, and exciting, television viewing can thus mean relaxation, passing the time and fantasy orientation" (McQuail 359).I don't fit for hours on end glued to the TV. As a soon to be 24 year old adult, I have to much to do to be laying around watching TV all day, but when I do get a few hours in, I find them enjoyable. As far as children are concerned, I think it is important for parents to be the ones to lay down the rules and make sure that their child is out doing other things such as riding a bike or playing with friends rather then glued for hours on end in front of a TV screen. I do think that TV can help a child learn and develop creative skills though in moderation. In all, I do not think that any one means to get sucked into "TV land" and become so caught up in it that it begins to have extreme negative effects on them. According to Baran and Davis, " Much of the postpositivist research we reviewed in previous chapters was 'effects research,' which assumed that media do things to people, often without their consent o desire" (Baran and Davis 229). I think that this is what happens in cases of depression and isolation. It is up to the individual (or parents) to make sure that TV and media does not control their lives to this great extent.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Andrew says about TV affecting my happiness. I know that on days where I just sit around and am not productive and I just lie on the couch and watch TV all day, it makes me feel really bad about myself. Especially when my roommates and my friends are in class or doing homework all day, and I'm basically just vegging out on the couch.
ReplyDeleteBaran and Davis (232) do talk about the "rewards of television". They reference Wilbur Schramm and say that "people weigh the level of reward they expect from a given medium against how much effort they must make to secure that reward." They say that just watching TV takes the least amount of effort as the news or programming is shown to you in flashy and colorful graphics that are easy to understand and you don't have to leave your couch to figure it out.
I agree with this and even though I may be getting "informed" by television, I wouldn't say that makes me feel more satisfied and proud that I was able to do something productive with my day.
In the study done in McQuail's book (359). He says that children tend to watch TV because they say it "it feels as if you were really doing something", or "you meet other people at the same time". To me that is not a good form of social interaction for your child. They need to be out and about and meeting real people, making real friends, and doing productive things outside of the TV. If they feel that watching TV is the only time they are really doing something then that says a lot about today's society and I feel it is something that needs to be addressed by parents, who may need to restrict the amount of time their child watches TV.
I've never considered myself much of a television person up until recently, and I've come to wonder what it is that suddenly has inspired me to mindlessly stare at my TV screen for hours at a time. My excessive TV watching began this summer. After a long day of interning in New York City, I would come home and immediately flop onto my couch. Maybe I'd get up a few times to grab some food or use the bathroom, but often times I'd stay on that couch until it was time for bed. Now that school has started back up, I find that, once all of my work for that day is finished, I'll fall into that same old routine of setting myself down on the couch and grabbing that remote.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that I've figured out is that I tend to watch TV when I'm too lazy or drained to do anything else. For me, TV is an easy way to relax, because I can be entertained while still doing next to nothing at all. I don't even need to think for myself; the TV does that for me. And after a long, exhausting day spent working and thinking too hard, nothing sounds more appealing than just shutting yourself off and melting into that old, familiar spot on the couch. Among other reasons, this is probably my main gratification from watching television.
Based on Schramm's fraction of selection, my justification for using television makes perfect sense. The fraction of selection indicates that "most people weigh the level of reward (gratification) they expect from a given medium or message against how much effort they must take to secure that reward" (Baran and Davis 232). So, why choose TV over other types of media I could be consuming? The answer is simple: Watching television is (for me) complete reward with almost no effort required, unless I can't find the remote. When relaxation and inactivity is what I'm looking for, television makes more sense than reading a book, using social media, or virtually anything else. There are really few activities out there that require less effort than watching TV, save for staring blankly at a wall, which of course lacks the reward or gratification aspect (in my opinion, anyway; no judgment if you feel differently).
The McQuail reader points out another gratification of television in this sense. Unlike other media, there is little requirement to actively listen and watch at all times. One can still "watch" television while doing other things, which again is not the case for other types of media, particularly anything that requires reading. One cannot technically read and cook, for example, at the same time. One can attempt to do them at the same time, but what they will find is that they're actually just switching back and forth; for every moment one's eyes are not on a book page, they are not reading or consuming the media (McQuail 360).
I figured it would be interesting for me to tackle this particular entry because of my own personal habits regarding the topic. I feel as if I can provide some sort of an outside perspective on the topic. Why you ask? I don't watch TV. You would be hard pressed to find me watching more than one hour of TV a week, if that. Does this make me a happier person? Not necessarily.
ReplyDeleteThe New York Times article brings up a very good point in looking at the correlation between television and happiness. The absence of evidence does not necessarily mean the evidence of absence. Just because someone does not have television in their life does not automatically mean the rest of their life is fulfilling and rich with happiness. In the blackboard reading, it is stated that "The media compete with other sources of need satisfaction. The needs served by mass communication constitute but a segment of the wider range of human needs" (Katz, Blumer & Gurevich, 165). One may watch television to relax or as an escape from real life, but if their lives are not then picked up by fulfilling activities then they will remain unhappy and living in a false reality. Escapes are called just that for a reason: they are not a permanent move, but rather a quick jump-away before returning to strive further in ones permanent residence (real life in this case).
Noting all of this, one can ask why television isn't one of these fulfilling activities. Andrew brought up the point that people may be actively trying to avoid bias by consuming large quantities of television. Theoretically, this would make television an active-participation pastime. However, I cannot agree with that. From our studies on framing and agenda-setting, we learned that news outlets and programs portray information in a certain light (weather it be for ratings or some other motive). I really cannot see consuming CNN, FOX, and MSNBC as avoiding bias; rather it seems you would just be consuming all forms of bias. This point alone, brings around my main point regarding television in the modern media age: it is a passive form of media consumption. In the Baran & Davis reading, the phenomenon of internet music sharing and new media usage is discussed. A question is proposed asking "Why are so many people becoming so active in their use of media that they are willing to buy expensive new forms of technology and learn somewhat complicated media-use skills?" (Baran & Davis, 228). This question refers to the new active media consumption occurring on the internet. For those non-Media Studies students attempting to stay informed, active consumption and research of media occurs on the internet now. Television requires hardly any user participation (though they are attempting to infuse programs with new internet media). Massive consumption of passive material would lead to an inactive lifestyle. Perhaps this would cause the unhappy feelings. Now if someone were to consume television and participate in online new media, we would be looking at an active and, according to the New York Times, happier societal individual.
In the 1950's consuming news television may have been an important activity. Today, it is a pastime. Active media participation has shifted to the Web 2.0 media sphere. It is here that our voice can be heard. As any psychologist will reinforce- an active individual is more likely to be a happier one.
I noticed myself watching less and less television every day. When I was younger I used to watch for at least 2hours each day and sometime even more because I liked to use it as background noise when doing my homework back in high school. I used to watch it for a break from reality, to see, and in a way, experience things that I never have before. Now, I feel don’t watch as much anymore because of the choices of shows out there. I get frustrated with all of the reality TV shows. Yes, they’re cheap to make and is easy to yield a great profit, but when you look at some of these shows, it’s pretty ridiculous. For instance, Ax Men, where guys chop down trees in the wood, and of course, like every other reality TV show, drama ensues.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are many negative effects of watching TV, there are also positive effects that come out of watching. If someone has a stressful day, it can serve as a way of easing the stress. Many people use television to gain some information, whether it’s from a documentary or what’s going on in the world around you. “The majority of both younger and older children (three to six and seven to fifteen years of age respectively) give all of the following functions: ‘you see things that happen in real life’, ‘you learn a lot’, ‘you find out what is happening in the world’, and ‘you get new thoughts and ideas’. Almost equally often they say they watch because you ‘learn how to do things’, ‘TV shows what is right and what is wrong’, and ‘I want to try everything’ (McQuail 359). TV definitely has some positive effects on society. Besides entertaining society, it informs the public, can teach values/morals, keep people open-minded and even inspire people. Overall, people place too much blame on TV for the corruption in our society, when actually, it could be causing more good than bad.
There are a few reasons why people watch TV. “First, listening was ‘merely a means of emotional release;’ ‘a second and commonly recognized form of enjoyment concerns the opportunities for wishful thinking;’ and the ‘third and commonly unsuspected form of gratification concerns the opportunities of gratification concerns the advice obtained from listening to daytime serials’”(Baran & Davis 232). What are the reasons you watch television? Do you fit into any of these major types of gratifications?
As everyone said, this article is very intersting. My thing is, almost every house hold in the United States have a television, many to be honest. Almost everyone grew up on watching television for hours because, in a way it was our babysitter. When a parent want a kid to chill out and relax, a cartoon of some sort is turned on and the kid sits down and watches with excitement. I worked a Sports and academic camp with kids from about 4-10 this summer and there was always a debate at lunch time about turning on cartoon network or nickelodeon.
ReplyDeleteIn McQuail chapter 33 it says " television meets informative needs with almost equal frequency. The majority of both younger and older children (three to six and seven to fifteen years of age respectively) give all of the following functions: 'you see things that happen in real life', you learn a lot', you find out what is happening in the world', and 'you get new thoughts and ideas."(359) Television is not all bad.
I watch television because that's something I like to do. it doesn't make me unhappy either. I have a lot of television shows and like andrew said i can care less what anyone thinks about my tv habits. This do not mean that if i do not watch television ill die, this is just one of my hobbies that i enjoy.
"John Dewey argued that educated people could make good use of media. To him, propaganda was a problem that should be solved through public education rather then censorship; people could be taught to make better use of media content, they wouldn't need to be sheltered" (Baran, Davis 229). I do not think the average man/woman can avoid the slants and spins. This is why most are completely oblivious.
I don’t really care how scientific and detailed this study was. I don’t buy it. I wish that the New York Times article gave more information on exactly what questions were asked of the participants and what factors were considered. Nowadays, nearly everyone watches television and enjoys television. There is nothing that makes me happier than kicking back in sweatpants on my couch after a long day at work or school and watching a few hours of mindless sitcoms. My television and I have a great relationship—this study isn’t going to convince me to spend time away from my trusty companion. Like Andrew mentions, I utilize television to satisfy my need for entertainment and escape.
ReplyDeleteThough the article doesn’t give too many details about how the study was conducted, I did gather that the participants completed a time diary. Television is so much a part of our society; I cannot imagine that the “happy” people who spent more time reading, visiting friends and going to church never watched TV. I highly doubt that television viewers, in general, are the unhappy people in the world (because television and I have a very happy and healthy relationship). I can understand that extreme couch potatoes may be unhappy compared to those who have true social interactions. I can also understand that people who tune into certain programs may have unhappy tendencies.
People turn to media to satisfy needs. Society utilizes media for a variety of reasons and oftentimes people use media to satisfy and counter certain negative aspects of their lives. Perhaps the study shows that people who watch TV are unhappy because these people are turning to TV to quell their already instilled elements of unhappiness. The article by Katz, Blumler and Gurevitch discusses that we often use media to satisfy our social or emotional needs. The media, thus, offers us gratifications that satisfy our needs, or at the very least, distract us from them for a period of time. This is why we turn to the media—especially when we need to escape. The article states, “…the use of fictional (and other) media materials for ‘personal reference’ may spring from a need for self-esteem; social utility functions may be traced to the need for affiliation; and escape functions may be related to the need to release tension and reduce anxiety” (167).
Contrary to what Andrew’s article suggests, it may not be that television causes us to be unhappy, but it may be more likely that people who are already expressing feelings of unhappiness in their lives are watching more television as an escape—using media as a diversion from the reality of their lives or a replacement for a lacking social life (Katz, Blumler, Gurevitch 166).
My sitcoms are providing me with entertainment and escape gratifications, but those who are glued to CNN or other news stations to satisfy their need for knowledge may be depressing themselves with the state of the world. The Baran and Davis text discusses that the intentions of each medium may be different than how the audience ultimately uses the medium and how it functions for them in their life. The text states that, “...research has begun to focus on this type of audience activity—the manner in which people actively impose meaning on content and construct new meaning that serves their purposes better than any meaning that might have been intended by he message producer or distributor” (239). Perhaps people who tune into their television more often than those who engage in less technologically based activities are dissecting the content in a negative way. We have discussed that television news can frighten and depress members in society into thinking that the state of the world is in shambles. If the television viewers mentioned in the study are watching this type of programming and imposing negative meaning on what is displayed to them, it may make sense that they are the unhappy ones.
Andrew, you open up with the disbelief in those television junkies who cannot keep their eyes off the television. I can side with you on this one because I do not see the need to watch such an excessive amount of television. The reason I think that people watch so much television has the power to draw in audiences through it’s characters, storylines, and accessibility. Characters play out stories in each episode, allowing for the audience to latch onto relationships and storylines within the series. Audiences also stay tuned because a television show is usually weekly, making it a reliable source of entertainment. Week after week, the storyline develops; viewers are able to discuss with one another each week’s story. Incorporating other viewers now gives a sort of responsibility to the viewer to watch the show to make sure they are informed and able to talk about the show. This is similar to those who watch the news in order to be as informed as possible, except I am not sure if the issue of content was addressed in this survey and study.
ReplyDeleteRecalling three of the reasons why children watch television essentially relaxation, boredom, and escape was a great segue into how adults may feel about reasons for television consumption. In my opinion, I decide to watch as much television as I do for entertainment and inspiration purposes. Personally, I only watch one one-hour show regularly and I do not feel as though I am unhappy, so either I am in denial, or I do not watch enough television to be classified as a person who would be affected in such a way. I do however believe that watching too much television could lead to feelings of depression and unhappiness. Whether largely or minimally recognized, viewers know that they could have been doing something more active with their time and may not like this feeling.
As for the issue on TV Habits, I can see how a good balance in life could deserve a day of rest and laziness in front of the television.
I feel that Baron and Davis are correct in their theory that television viewers can indeed become well-informed media consumers that can avoid mentioned downfalls such as manipulation and propaganda. However, this is not guaranteed. Baran and Davis state, “newspapers television news devote significant energy and effort to covering political campaigns and delivering the product of that effort to their audiences. If readers and viewers ignore (i.e., fail to use) the reports, no communication happens and the intended functions fail to occur” (Baran & Davis, 235). The area of politics is just one area where people may be under-informed. I feel that people are willing to listen and are eager to learn from television programs, media networks just need to be able to deliver information effectively. McQuail highlights, “children want information from television, preferably in an entertaining manner” (McQuail, 362). I think this parallels adult audiences in the sense that viewers want to learn from television programs whether that initiative is conscious or not. For example, there are new episodes of shows every week because people want to see new experiences to be entertained by, but also learn from an experience without actually personally experiencing it.
I think we need to give the average media consumer a little more credit and not think that they will fall for every FOX conservative spin or MSNBC liberal slant. Although I would consider myself to be more optimistic than others, I do think that media consumers are evolving to be more cognizant in their dissemination of today’s media.
Watching television offers many gratifications, whether its relaxing from the day or its showing you a part of the world you've never seen before. It is because of the many different gratifications that we, as a society, still watch so much TV. TV has become a 24/7 entertainment option, which is the exact reason why TV has so many critics. Critics of TV argue that it is sucking the life and energy out of our children and is brainwashing the world. That could be true, but in all odds, consuming TV is no more harmful for a child than riding the bus to and from school. I make this comparision because critics argue that TV is allowing children to learn things that they are too young to learn, but you cant shelter a child from every mature subject matter, they have ears, and everywhere they go and everything they see, they are intaking. So in my opinion, to shield a child from consuming TV is like putting blinders on the child for every aspect of their life. This is of course within moderation, since late night TV is inappropiate for children, which is why child have bed times and then it is in the hands of the adult to make sure the children are away before they can enjoy adult TV programs like late-night talk shows, etc.
ReplyDeleteCelia von Feilitzen's survery in McQuail's Reader was the most interesting to me because it made me stop and reflect on my own media consumption habits, which are large and plentiful. I watch TV for the basic reason's listed in McQuail's reader, 1. relaxation, 2. idle time, 3. to see things that don't happen in real life. TV is an escape option if nothign else, and this doesnt mean I'm not happy, it just means I have a lot on my plate and watching TV for an hour after I get home from work and classes before starting more work is a necessary part of my evening. Also TV consumption has become a joint effort between my friends and I, for example, my roomate has got my entire house hooked on Glee, and now we all get together on Tuesday nights to watch Glee together, which is often the only night of the week we all get to hang out together. This makes me very happy.
So to answer your question, why do we still watch? We still watch because it's still there, it's still changing, and it's still entertaining. The only difference between TV now and then is its availability. If TV was so readily available to children in the 50's, then they would consume just as much as children today.
Kieran Wheeler
ReplyDeleteI am definitely a person who likes to watch a lot of television. I also consider myself to be a happy person, so I guess I would not have been much help to John Robinson’s study, which was illustrated in the New York Times article. I would never have thought that watching a lot television could make someone an unhappy person. This is because of the fact that whether or not a person decides to sit down and watch television is usually that person’s choice, and they usually choose to do so because they get certain gratifications from watching television.
In the McQuail reading, when referring to children watching television, it states, “It should be added that the child not only chooses between different television programmes, but also between television and other activities, the functional alternatives, which may meet his needs as adequately” (356). This helps to show that watching television is something that adults and children alike choose to do. If there was something else during a specific moment that we would be more gratifying, such as go out and throw a football around, or play a pick-up game of hockey, than we could choose to do that instead of watching television.
In the Baran and Davis reading, it talks about Katz, Blumler, and Gurevitch’s five elements of the uses and gratifications model. One of the elements was that, “People are aware enough of their own media use, interests, and motives to be able to provide researchers with an accurate picture of that use” (240). This shows that people usually know why they decide to consume different media. If people are conscious about the fact that their television habits were making them unhappy, then I am sure that they would cut down on their television intake. I would like to see more research done with regards to the study in the New York Times article, because I personally do not feel that it can be very credible.
The main reason that I sit down and watch television is usually because I simply want to relax and be entertained. If I wanted to entertain myself, I could go out and play sports, but I simply might not have the energy to do so. When it comes to Sunday, I will admit that I am usually glued to the television watching football. To be honest, I usually feel great afterwards, unless watching football keeps me from getting work done- which it rarely does unless the Giants are on.
I do feel that watching television can make many people much more informed on certain issues, even if they are not conscious media studies students. Watching the news makes people more informed. Even if people only stick to one news outlet, they will be much more informed than they would if they simply had not looked to the mass media for information. I also feel that if a person felt they were watching too much television, they would be able to simply walk away and do something more enjoyable.